By Sonja Sharp and Wil Cruz
DNAinfo Staff
MANHATTAN — Greg Kelly made an emotional return to "Good Day New York" Friday, ending a two-week hiatus during which he was investigated and later cleared for allegedly raping a woman.
"It was a tough couple of weeks," Kelly said at 7 a.m. after returning as co-host on the Fox 5 morning program. "I'm grateful for the support I received from Fox 5, my family, friends and especially the viewers.
"They have just been great," he added.
Kelly, who is the son of NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly, and co-host Rosanna Scotto at times held hands Friday.
Scotto — who had remained mostly silent during the investigation but always supported her co-host — became choked up and teary-eyed during Kelly's opening remarks.
"I am so happy you're back," she said.
Staffers applauded Kelly after his short speech.
Kelly and Scotto, known for their playful banter, quickly brought in meteorologist Mike Woods, who teased Kelly about the quality of his tie. Then it was on to the weather and the news.
Kelly did not mention specifics of the rape allegations.
He had been off the air since Jan. 26, when word surfaced that the former U.S. Marine was under investigation for allegedly raping a woman.
The Manhattan District Attorney's office looked into a claim by the alleged victim that Kelly raped her in her in her Downtown law office on Oct. 8 after a night of drinks at the South Street Seaport.
The alleged victim, who claimed to have become pregnant as a result of the alleged attack, told her boyfriend about the assault — leading to a confrontation with Police Commissioner Ray Kelly.
The boyfriend told the elder Kelly at a public event that his son had ruined his life.
Kelly told him to write a letter, the woman told investigators, sources said.
Greg Kelly maintained his innocence throughout the investigation.
D.A. Cyrus Vance's office on Wednesday announced that it would drop the case.
"After reviewing the evidence, we have determined that the facts established during our investigation do not fit the definitions of sexual assault crimes under New York criminal law," said Martha Bashford, the chief of the DA's sex crimes unit, in a letter to Kelly's lawyer, Andrew Lanker.
"Therefore, no criminal charges are appropriate."
Kelly's return to work began before dawn, when he glided past a mob of news cameras about 5 a.m. on his way to the Fox New York office at 205 East 67th Street.
When asked how it felt to be back, Kelly responded: "Terrific."
Asked if he looked forward to being back on the air, he said, "Absolutely."
